ARRL Letter

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The ARRL Letter
Vol. 23, No. 27
July 2, 2004
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IN THIS EDITION:
* +BPL trial cut short in Iowa
* +League President takes comfort in UPLC swipe
* +Two astro-hams, no waiting for ISS Field Day Qs
* +ECHO satellite now in orbit!
* +Ex-ham facing $10,000 fine
* +ARRL looking to fund "Big Project" initiatives
* +Team USA wants you for world direction-finding competition
* IN BRIEF:
This weekend on the radio
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
ARRL Emergency Communications course Level I Seats available!
Field Day 2004 log submission "Entries Received" list
+AMSAT-NA debuts Web site makeover
+W1AW, NU1AW among headquarters stations for IARU event
Amateur Radio and patriotism highlight Flag Day celebration
+Available on ARRL Audio News
===========================================================
NOTE: The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News are being made available a day
early this week and will not be distributed Friday, July 9. The Solar
Update by K7RA will be available on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/> and as a W1AW bulletin July 2 and July 9. The ARRL
Letter and ARRL Audio News will return July 16. ARRL Headquarters will be
closed for the Independence Day holiday Monday, July 5, and will reopen
Tuesday, July 6, at 8 AM EDT. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable
holiday.
===========================================================
==>UTILITY CUTS SHORT BPL TRIAL THAT WAS TARGET OF AMATEUR COMPLAINTS
Alliant Energy has called an early end to its broadband over power line
(BPL) pilot project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The "evaluation system" went
live March 30, and plans called for keeping it active until August or
September. Alliant shut it down June 25. Ongoing, unresolved HF
interference from the system to retired engineer Jim Spencer, W0SR, and
other amateurs prompted the ARRL to file a complaint to the FCC on
Spencer's behalf demanding it be shut down and the utility fined.
Alliant Energy's BPL Project Leader Dan Hinz says the ARRL complaint
"certainly was a factor" in the utility's decision to pull the plug
prematurely but "not the overriding factor." The main reason, he said, was
that Alliant accomplished most of its objectives ahead of schedule. The
primary purpose of the Cedar Rapids evaluation was to gain an
understanding of BPL technology and what issues might be involved in a
real-world deployment, Hinz explained. But, he added, regulatory
uncertainty and other unspecified technical issues also factored into the
choice to end the pilot early.
Hinz said Alliant is "moshing the data" to compile a written evaluation of
the Cedar Rapids pilot, but the company has no plans at this point to move
forward with BPL. Alliant did not partner with a broadband services
provider, and it has no other BPL test systems in operation. The system
used Amperion BPL equipment.
According to Spencer, five fixed Amateur Radio stations within proximity
of the BPL evaluation system and two mobile stations formally reported BPL
interference on HF. "The radio amateurs and Alliant Energy cooperated by
sharing interference information," he said. "Alliant Energy turned the BPL
evaluation system off twice to allow collection of extensive BPL frequency
and signal level data--with and without BPL." He said Alliant and Amperion
tried various "notching" schemes to rid amateur frequencies of the BPL
interference with only limited success.
The system included both overhead and underground BPL links to feed 2.4
GHz wireless "hot spots" for end user access. Hinz said the area's
topography presented some challenges, especially with the wireless links.
"I think in the end, we actually over-challenged ourselves with this
specific pilot location," he said. And, despite "substantial progress" in
mitigating interference, Alliant decided at this point that "it wasn't
worth the extra effort" to resolve the thornier technical issues, Hinz
added.
As for any broader implications, Hinz says he's always viewed BPL as a
"strategic deployment technology," not one a company could roll out just
anywhere and expect to be competitive with existing broadband services
such as cable and DSL. "At least that's how we were looking at it," he
said. "You have to find the right areas with the right topography with the
right concentration of certain types of customers," he said.
"It's never been in my mind that BPL has to compete with the speeds of
cable today," Hinz added. "It has to compete with the speeds of cable and
the next best thing tomorrow as well, if it's going to be usable well into
the future." He hinted that Alliant might want to take another look at BPL
once the FCC has put BPL rules and regulations into place, and the
technology has further evolved.
The ARRL's formal complaint to FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief David H.
Solomon called on the Commission not only to close down Alliant's BPL
field trial system but to fine the utility $10,000 for violating the
Communications Act of 1934 and FCC Part 15 rules. Commenting on the
termination of the Cedar Rapids BPL trial, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ,
pointed out that Alliant had tried for more than 12 weeks to fix the
interference problem to a station 600 feet from its installation.
"In the end," Sumner said, "the interference was not eliminated except by
shutting down the BPL system. Could the case against BPL deployment be any
clearer?"
Spencer said he was happy with Alliant's decision, and he was gracious in
expressing appreciation to the utility for working with him. "And thanks
also to the ARRL and the Cedar Rapids BPL Steering Committee for their
knowledge and efforts in making a truly professional evaluation," he
added.
Still outstanding are some chronic power line noise problems Spencer has
experienced.
For additional information, visit the "Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and
Amateur Radio" page on the ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/bpl>. To
support the League's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web
site <https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/>.
==>UPLC COMMENT SHOWS BPL CAMPAIGN STARTING TO PAY OFF, HAYNIE SAYS
ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says a remark the United Power Line
Council (UPLC) made recently about Amateur Radio shows that the League's
BPL message is getting through. In its reply comments on the FCC's BPL
Notice of Proposed Rule Making in ET Docket 04-37, the UPLC's Brett
Kilbourne claimed that members of the BPL industry are the real experts on
the technology, "not a misinformed set of armchair amateurs that still use
vacuum tube transmitters." A subsequent UPLC press release repeated the
swipe, drawing a storm of protest from the amateur community. Haynie said
this week that he took comfort rather than offense at the intended
affront.
"I thought that the comment was a good indicator that the work that the
League has been doing on multiple fronts is beginning to pay off," Haynie
said. The League's FCC filings, technical studies and information on BPL,
he said, have made it "very embarrassing" for the BPL industry to keep
insisting "that the emperor is wearing clothes," so it's resorted to name
calling instead.
Haynie said he remains puzzled that the BPL industry appears unwilling to
support its claims that "the risk of interference from BPL is
extraordinarily low, because it produces only minimal radio frequency
energy at a few points in the system," as the UPLC's press release
asserts. Any harmful interference that does occur, the UPLC claims, can be
"mitigated" using a variety of techniques, "including frequency notching
or frequency shifting."
"Just saying 'We said it's not going to interfere' is not going to cut
it," he said. Haynie challenged the BPL industry to sponsor independent,
professional engineering evaluations of the technology's interference
risk. "Let's see what they've got."
Haynie said that while he found the UPLC's "armchair amateurs" remark
amusing, its severe criticism of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA) Phase 1 BPL report and comments in the
proceeding raised his eyebrows a bit. In its press release, the UPLC said
"NTIA's recommendations and ARRL's naysaying are misguided" and that the
UPLC has "forcefully replied" to interference concerns.
"For Mr Kilbourne to come out and say they [NTIA] don't know what they're
talking about, he might as well shoot himself in the foot," Haynie said,
pointing out that the White House, which is promoting BPL, is putting a
lot weight on the NTIA's recommendations.
In its comments, the UPLC said the NTIA's approach was "fundamentally at
odds with the Part 15 rules" and "unjustified" by BPL's interference
potential.
In response to the criticism leveled from the amateur community, the UPLC
declared its "support for Amateur Radio remains unabated," but expressed
concern for "uninformed armchair quarterbacking by a small number of
amateurs." The UPLC also said it has "sought to work with ARRL," citing
its offer to help resolve "a complaint in Cedar Rapids, Iowa." Alliant
Energy prematurely shut down its BPL pilot system in Cedar Rapids June 25.
Interference complaints from amateurs were a factor in the utility's
decision.
==>ISS CREW PLEASES FIELD DAY CROWD WITH HAM RADIO "FIRST"
For the first time, an astronaut and a cosmonaut were on the air
simultaneously from both Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) operating positions. Astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, operated
during Field Day 2004 as NA1SS, while Expedition 9 Commander Gennady
Padalka, RN3DT, was on the air as RS0ISS. Between them, they racked up
more than five dozen QSOs.
"Mike Fincke and Gennady Padalka both participated on June 27 by making
voice contacts with stations in the United States (including Alaska),
Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay
and Brazil," said ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO.
"This was Mike's first time to make general contacts, and he did really
well." Fincke was active during five US passes as well as during two over
Central and South America.
Fincke snagged some 60 contacts on 2 meters--some of them in
Spanish--using the Ericsson handheld transceiver in the Zarya Functional
Cargo Block or FGB. Padalka picked up four US contacts on 70 cm using the
Kenwood D700E in the ISS Zvezda Service Module. The packet system now is
back in operation.
Fincke called the Field Day operation "a great experience!" and suggested
he'll be on the air more frequently as a result. "Both Gennady and I were
very happy to have 'met' so many different people in North, Central and
South America," he said. "I know I will be using the ham radio more often,
now that I could feel the warmth of the community."
ARISS mentor Tim Bosma, W6MU (ex-W6ISS) said his Field Day crew worked
Fincke on three consecutive passes. "He impressed a lot of scouts and hams
here at our Field Day site and made a very positive impression for ARISS
and AMSAT," he said on the SAREX reflector.
Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, was one of the stations fortunate enough to work
Padalka. "What an awesome signal on 70 cm!" he exclaimed. "Forty over S9.
Speaking on behalf of the ARISS Team, Scott Stevens, N3ASA, expressed
appreciation for the Field Day operation. "Thank you gentlemen for your
time and outstanding effort in making the 2004 Field Day an excellent
experience."
==>AMSAT-OSCAR ECHO SATELLITE LAUNCHED!
A Russian Dnepr LV rocket carrying the AMSAT-OSCAR Echo Amateur Radio
satellite and several other payloads launched on schedule June 29 at 0630
UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Ground controllers made their
first contact with Echo at 1452 UTC and collected some telemetry for
analysis before shutting down the 435.150 MHz digital downlink
transmitter.
"This achievement is due to many individuals around the world, who have
helped in the design, building, integration, testing and launching of this
satellite," said AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH. "Also the
members of AMSATs in many countries who have helped us by funding this
'electronic adventure.' Without your financial support the satellite could
not have been completed and would never have been launched. Give
yourselves a pat on the back for a job well done."
Jim White, WD0E, of the AO-Echo project team reports that an initial
analysis of Echo's telemetry indicates everything is looking good. "The
battery, solar panels and temperatures were all as expected," he said.
Housekeeping software now is uploaded and running, and the transmitter was
left on at a power level of 1.2 W.
Earth stations should not attempt to transmit on the satellite's uplink
until checkout and commissioning are complete and AO-Echo has been made
available for general use. White says that won't happen for at least one
week. AMSAT will release bulletins when the satellite becomes available.
A telemetry decoding program, TLMEcho, is available for those who would
like to view and report data from Echo. It may be downloaded from the
"Echo Satellite User Software and Documentation page." AMSAT-NA requests
that anyone recording Echo telemetry to send the CSV files to Mike
Kingery, KE4AZN. A telemetry database has been established and will be
tested over the next few days. When testing is complete it will be made
available to directly upload telemetry files and query all data.
AO-Echo's sun-synchronous orbit is some 800 km (nearly 500 miles) above
Earth. Among other capabilities, the 10-inch-square microsat--equipped
with a transmitter capable of up to 7 W output--will allow voice
communication using handheld FM transceivers. Echo will feature V/U, L/S
and HF/U operational configurations, with V/S, L/U and HF/S also possible.
FM voice and various digital modes--including PSK31 on a 10-meter SSB
uplink--also will be available.
At last report, the AO-Echo project was still some $12,500 shy of its
$110,000 fund-raising goal. AMSAT--a 501(c)(3) organization--welcomes
additional donations to bridge the funding gap. Visit the AMSAT AO-Echo
Web page for additional details.--AMSAT News Service
==>FCC PROPOSES $10,000 FINE FOR CALIFORNIA EX-HAM
A new chapter has begun in the West Coast chronicle of Jack Gerritsen. The
FCC now wants to fine Gerritsen $10,000 for violating the Communications
Act because he doesn't have an Amateur Radio license yet continues to
operate, despite an FCC notice that he no longer has authority to transmit
and numerous complaints from Los Angeles-area amateurs. The Bell,
California, man--who was very briefly KG6IRO in 2001--contends the FCC
acted improperly in setting aside his Technician license. He claims he
still holds a valid ham ticket until the Commission affords him a hearing
to decide its fate. The FCC says otherwise.
"Gerritsen's positing of arguments challenging the set-aside of his
Amateur license does not give him any right to operate a radio station
without a license issued by the Commission," the FCC said. It issued a
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) June 15.
On its own motion, the FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) set
aside its November 7, 2001, license grant to Gerritsen a week after
issuing it. Citing §1.113(a) of its rules, the FCC based its action on
complaints about the operation of Gerritsen's station. It also said
Gerritsen's 2000 conviction for interfering with police communications
raised questions about his qualifications to be a Commission licensee. His
Amateur Radio license application remains in pending status.
FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth, who wrote Gerritsen last November
to tell him he no longer had authority to operate a radio transmitter,
says the agency has quite often used §1.113 "to correct errors." The rule
states: "Within 30 days after public notice has been given of any action
taken pursuant to delegated authority, the person, panel, or board taking
the action may modify or set it aside on its own motion."
Gerritsen cites a different section of the FCC's rules to claim it cannot
take away his operating authority without first granting him a hearing. He
continues to use KG6IRO, although the call sign appears in the FCC's
Universal Licensing System as "terminated."
Gerritsen's history of radio-related problems extends back to 1999, when
he was arrested and subsequently convicted in state court of interfering
with police radio communications. Complaints about Gerritsen to the FCC
resumed in 2003 after his release from jail after allegedly violating his
parole by owning and operating radio transmitting equipment. Agents from
the FCC's Los Angeles Office tracked 2-meter transmissions to Gerritsen's
home and observed him holding a small portable radio transceiver.
Gerritsen refused a request to inspect his radio equipment, the FCC said.
In the NAL, the FCC said it continues to receive complaints of
unauthorized operation of KG6IRO. Unconfirmed accounts allege that
Gerritsen also may have transmitted on various public safety frequencies,
although the NAL does not cite such allegations.
Earlier this year, Gerritsen landed back behind bars for a month following
a federal trespassing conviction. He received the maximum 30-day penalty
plus a $2500 fine and court costs. It's not known if Gerritsen paid the
forfeiture. Imposing a fine on Gerritsen is the next step in a case that
eventually could lead to criminal prosecution. Amateurs and law
officers--some of them also amateur licensees--already have expressed
displeasure at the slow pace of progress in the Gerritsen case.
Hollingsworth says Gerritsen's pending Amateur Radio application is back
in the hands of the WTB, which also will decide the fate of Gerritsen's
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) license. The Commission set aside that
license last fall, basing its action on what it described as "continuing
unlicensed operation and complaints of deliberate interference from
transmitters you operate." A Hearing Designation Order for Gerritsen is
still said to be slowly working its way through the FCC bureaucracy.
==>ARRL SEEKS TO FUND NEW EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM INITIATIVES
The ARRL is seeking donations to equip ARRL Education and Technology
Program (ETP) teachers to more effectively instruct students in wireless
technology and to furnish them with activity kits that convey basic
concepts. Instituted in 2001 as "The Big Project," the ETP now boasts
nearly 100 participating schools, thanks to the generous support of ARRL
members. In his travels around the US meeting with educators, Program
Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME, has learned that Amateur Radio as a
catalyst for teaching wireless technology works best in an after-school
setting. He's also has discovered that many teachers have been trained to
teach science but not wireless technology.
In a June appeal, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, explained that a lot of
science teachers "are excited about what students can learn from Amateur
Radio, but they are intimidated by this new world of wireless electronics.
They want to learn how to teach wireless communications."
ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, puts it another way.
"For some schools," she said, "it's a giant leap to go from zero to ham
radio station."
The League has a two-pronged strategy to address the challenge. The first
is to debut a pilot ARRL Teachers Institute in August. The week-long
seminar will immerse teachers in a curriculum that will have them studying
electronics, learning the basics of Amateur Radio and building projects.
While generous donations have provided some funding for this initiative,
Hobart says the program still needs additional money to make the Teachers
Institute a reality. She hopes the ETP can find sufficient funding to keep
the institute and the program itself operating through 2005, "so the
progress to date doesn't go to waste."
The second part of the plan is to provide participating teachers and
schools with simple electronic activity kits that will give students
hands-on experience as a stepping stone to deeper involvement in Amateur
Radio and wireless technology. Each electronic project kit averages $350,
and more than 60 of them have gone out to 30 teachers and schools. Up
until now, their cost has been subsidized by donations from the Newington
Amateur Radio League, the ARRL Foundation and individual donors. The
project kits, Hobart says, have captured the imaginations of the students
and teachers alike.
"Next to defending our spectrum," she declared, "inspiring young people is
supremely important to the future of Amateur Radio."
Contributions can be made via the ARRL's secure donation Web site
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/education/index.html>.
For more information, contact Mary Hobart, K1MMH, 860-594-0397.
==>TEAM USA SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR 2004 ARDF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Team USA is now forming for the
ARDF 12th World Championship <http://www.wch2004ardf.com/>. The
competition takes place September 7-12 near Brno in the Czech Republic.
Every two years, hams from around the world gather to see who is best at
on-foot hidden transmitter hunting. There are separate events on 80 and 2
meters, each with five transmitters scattered in a forest that can
encompass 1000 acres or more.
"The USA has been represented at every ARDF World Championships since
1988, and 2004 will be no exception," says ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe
Moell, K0OV. He urges anyone interested in competing to act now. More than
200 participants representing two dozen or more countries are expected to
turn out for the event.
"Each country may send up to three competitors in each of nine age
categories--five for males and four for females, in accordance with rules
of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)," he said. Team members
are responsible for their own transportation expenses to and from the
Czech Republic.
More than a dozen US ARDF enthusiasts already have expressed strong
interest in attending. The categories for males between 40 and 59 years of
age (as of December 31, 2004) already have three or more signups. Team USA
selection in these categories will be made based on performances and
standings in USA ARDF Championships last year and this year.
Moell says openings remain for men under 40 and for all women's
categories. "So it may be possible for inexperienced radio-orienteers in
these age ranges to join the team," he said. "It is also possible to
attend as a non-competing visitor, but all visitors must be listed as such
on the national team roster."
Moell asks anyone interested in traveling to the 2004 ARDF World
Championships as a member of Team USA or a US visitor to contact him via
e-mail <homingin@aol.com&gt;. Include your full name and mailing address,
home telephone number and date of birth.
For more information on Team USA, radio-orienteering in the US and ARDF
competitions, visit Moell's Homing In Web site <http://www.homingin.com/>.
__________________________________
==>IN BRIEF:
* This weekend on the radio: The Venezuelan Independence Day Contest
(SSB/CW), the World Lighthouse Contest, the DL-DX RTTY Contest, the
Original QRP Contest and the DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest are the weekend
of July 3-4. The Michigan QRP July 4th CW Sprint is July 4-5. The RSGB
80-Meter Club Championship (CW) is July 5. The ARS Spartan Sprint is July
6. JUST AHEAD: The IARU HF World Championship, the UK DX Contest (RTTY),
the FISTS Summer Sprint and the ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint are the
weekend of July 10-11. The RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (SSB) is July
14. The Mid-Summer Six Club Contest, the VK/Trans-Tasman 160-Meter
Contest, the North American QSO Party (RTTY), the CQ Worldwide VHF Contest
and the RSGB Low Power Field Day are the weekend of July 16-17. The RSGB
80-Meter Club Championship (Data) is July 22. See the ARRL Contest Branch
page <http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/> for more info.
* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL RFI (EC-006) and Antenna Design and Construction
(EC-009) courses remains open through Sunday, July 4. Classes begin
Tuesday, July 13. Antenna Design and Construction students will, among
other things, learn about basic dipoles and the ground planes and how to
assemble combinations of these into more complex antennas. Students also
learn about transmission lines, standing wave ratio, phased arrays and
Yagis. Students participating in the RFI course will learn to identify
various interference sources. Registration for Technician Licensing
(EC-010) remains open through Sunday, July 11. Classes begin Tuesday, July
20. With the assistance of a mentor, students will learn everything they
need to learn to pass the FCC Technician license class examination. To
learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce> or contact the ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education Program Department <cce@arrl.org&gt;. [CCE logo]
* ARRL Emergency Communications course Level I Seats available!
Registration opens Monday, July 5, 12:01 AM EDT (0401 UTC), for the
on-line Level I Emergency Communications course (EC-001). Registration
remains open through the July 10-11 weekend or until all available seats
have been filled--whichever comes first. Class begins Tuesday, July 20.
Thanks to our grant from United Technologies Corporation, the $45
registration fee paid upon enrollment will be reimbursed after successful
completion of the course. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and
Continuing Education <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> Web page. For more
information, contact Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller,
K3UFG, <dmiller@arrl.org&gt;; 860-594-0340.
* Field Day 2004 log submission "Entries Received" list: The ARRL will
post a twice-daily list of Field Day 2004 "Entries Received"
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/claimed> via the Web-based "applet" program
<http://www.b4h.net/cabforms/> by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM. But the list will
not immediately include other electronic or paper Field Day submissions,
all of which must be entered manually. "We will post a comprehensive list
once all other paper and electronic logs have been entered, but this may
take up to six weeks after the July 27 submission deadline," explained
ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. "We will not be posting
daily updates for manually entered logs." Those posting Field Day entries
via the Web "applet" method do not have to submit a separate summary
sheet--just the supporting documentation. The Web program creates and
sends the required summary sheet to ARRL. All other submissions must
include a summary sheet in the official format. Henderson requests those
submitting Field Day entries via USPS mail or e-mail (ie, not via the
WA7BNM Web site) to refrain from calling or e-mailing ARRL Headquarters to
ask if their submissions arrived. "With hundreds of 'non-applet'
submissions, we really don't have the resources to rummage through boxes
of submissions to find a specific entry," Henderson said. Field Day
entries sent to ARRL Headquarters via e-mail <fieldday@arrl.org&gt; will be
automatically acknowledged via return e-mail. Paper submissions go to
Field Day Entries, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Participants
mailing their entries may include a stamped, self-addressed reply post
card that will be returned to the sender to confirm receipt.
* AMSAT-NA debuts Web site makeover: AMSAT-NA introduced its new Web site
design <http://www.amsat.org/> June 29 to coincide with the successful
AMSAT-OSCAR Echo launch. The site has been available in "beta" form for a
few weeks. "I must personally thank Emily Clarke for her excellent work in
developing this new Web site," said AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton,
VE3FRH. "Judging by your comments, it already has your approval." The
AMSAT-NA Web site makeover has been in the works for about a year under
the management of AMSAT-NA Executive Vice President Rick Hambly, W2GPS.
* W1AW, NU1AW among headquarters stations for IARU event: During the IARU
World HF Championship July 10-11, ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW and the
IARU International Secretariat club station NU1AW will be on the air as
"headquarters stations." W1AW/0 will operate from Colorado--mainly from
the stations of K0RF and KV0Q. NU1AW will be on the air from Vermont, via
the stations of K2LE and W2AX.
* Amateur Radio and patriotism highlight Flag Day celebration: New York
City Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members displayed their colors
and showed the public what a valuable resource they have in Amateur Radio
during a Flag Day celebration held June 12-14 on Ellis Island--within view
of the Statue of Liberty. An Amateur Radio booth was open daily to inform
visitors about the many services Amateur Radio has to offer. New York City
ARES District Emergency Coordinator Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, organized the
presentation. "Any time we can participate in an event that shows Amateur
Radio in a positive light is a good thing," he said. "This is especially
true when it shows our involvement in emergency communications and
emergency response. It's good for the hobby, and it's good for the
public." Lisenco arranged for representatives of all five New York City
boroughs--Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx and Manhattan--to be on
hand to answer questions about Amateur Radio for the many visitors,
including numerous youngsters. The three-day event culminated with a
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) graduation ceremony.
===========================================================
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, by the American
Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225 Main
St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President.
The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of
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The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
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* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur
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The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRLÂ Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRLÂ Audio News.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box.Â When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...